Systems and methods for collecting and processing satellite communications network usage information

ABSTRACT

A system and method provide the ability to collect, store and transmit information statements concerning satellite communication system use. The satellite system may collect billing information, such as roaming data, network use in terms of both total time and total bandwidth and functionality utilized on a user by user basis. Further, the satellite system may collect network usage information from the totality of users of a satellite system. The billing information and network usage information may be collected and stored on-board satellite(s) in a network in a data structure including a database. This information may then be collected, organized and transmitted to a variety of users in the earth segment of the system.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofthe priority filing dates of provisional patent applications Ser. Nos.60/760,053, 60/760,075, 60/760,076, 60/760,077, and 60/760,080, allfiled on Jan. 18, 2006. The disclosures of all above-referencedapplications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to satellite communications systems and networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional satellite communications networks utilize a billing modelthat is supplier driven rather than customer driven. In this model, thepurchaser of satellite communications services must know what technologyfits with a particular capacity and then go through a large number ofsteps requiring considerable technical and regulatory knowledge beforethe service can be utilized. The complexity of this process makes itdifficult for a customer to estimate the total cost and realistic timefor a project. Furthermore, the complexity often requires the customerto engage third party services to allow them to utilize the satellitecommunications network.

In addition to this complexity, the billing model may force customers toreserve capacity before they can use the network. Given the level ofcomplexity in determining the capacity needed, the customer may end uppaying for capacity that is never used. The customer may reservecapacity, but availability of the “reserved” capacity is not evenguaranteed. Also, traditional billing models charge high “ad-hoc” feesor require significant advanced planning and booking for on-demandaccess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There exists a need in satellite communications to provide not onlyservice, but also a billing model, that is customer-driven rather thanconstrained by existing preferences of the provider. Among otheradvantages, the billing model should be more flexible and better adaptedto on-demand access.

In an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, systems andmethods are presented for providing a customer-driven billing model thatis flexible and adapted to on-demand access.

In another of its aspects, the present invention provides for satellitesin a satellite communications network that function as billing hubs totrack, store and manage a variety of billing information. The satellitesutilize on-board processing to track, store and manage this billinginformation. Further, the on-board functionality eliminates the need tohave a terrestrial station to process and store billing information.

In one embodiment, satellites in a satellite communications networkutilize an internal clock to record the start and end times for acustomer's use of the network. The satellites utilize on-boardprocessing to determine and store the particular network functionalityrequested by the customer. The satellite can also utilize the internalclock to record the time that a customer uses a particular networkfunctionality. This approach allows the creation of billing informationto enable differential billing based, at least in part, on actual, realor near-real time, customer use. The satellites may utilize a variety ofdata structures to store the billing information on-board the satelliteincluding, but not limited to, a database or a call detail record.

In an embodiment of another aspect of the invention, a satellite iscapable of using on-board equipment to generate a billing statement orother record that may be sent directly to a customer or a systemadministrator. The billing statement may take the form of a line-itemstatement and may be sent electronically to a plurality of customers.Further, the method of generating the billing statement may utilize thebilling information stored in a data structure on-board the satellite.In this embodiment, the satellite may apply differential rates to aplurality of types of billing information. Further, this bill may besent automatically to a customer or a system administrator or be sentupon request by a customer or system administrator.

In another embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, thesatellites can create logs of usage for point to multipointcommunications as well as multipoint to multipoint communications.

In another embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, satellitesin a satellite communications network can track, store and managenetwork information. In this embodiment, the satellites handle aplurality of types of network information comprising efficiencyinformation, satellite traffic information and network usage informationamong other types of network information. Further, a data structure,including a database is used in one embodiment to store thisinformation. A network information statement may be generated and sentelectronically which reports, summarizes or otherwise displays thenetwork information tracked and stored in the data structures of thesatellites.

Alternatively, the billing or network information may be tracked, storedand managed at whole or in part at the terrestrial level. In such anembodiment, the individual terrestrial terminals utilizing the networkmay perform this functionality. Further, a terrestrial terminal hub mayperform this functionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the systems and methods according to the presentinvention are described in the figures identified below and in thedetailed description that follows.

FIG. 1 shows a high level view of an embodiment of a system and method,according to the present invention, for providing satellitecommunications.

FIG. 2 shows a high level view of an embodiment of a system and method,according to the present invention, for providing satellitecommunications.

FIG. 3 shows a high-level schematic view of the architecture in anembodiment of a system and method according to the present invention,with an emphasis on the satellite side of the system.

FIG. 4 shows a high-level view of the software of a satellite in anembodiment of a system and method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a high-level view of the architecture of a satellite in anembodiment of a system and method according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a high-level view of the architecture of a terrestrialterminal in an embodiment of a system and method according to thepresent invention.

FIGS. 7-20 show, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodimentof a method, according to the present invention, for providing satellitecommunications service to a customer.

FIG. 21 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for building, expanding orenhancing a satellite communications system.

FIG. 22 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for building, expanding orenhancing a satellite communications system.

FIG. 23 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for initiatingcustomer/user control of a satellite.

FIG. 24 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for providingcustomer/user control of an antenna on a satellite.

FIG. 25 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for providing tracking ofa target terrestrial terminal through steering an antenna on asatellite.

FIG. 26 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for a closed loop antennasteering method.

FIG. 27 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for providingcustomer/user control of the movement of a satellite.

FIG. 28 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for providing tracking ofa target terrestrial terminal through the movement of a satellite.

FIG. 29 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment ofa method, according to the present invention, for a closed loopsatellite movement method.

FIG. 30 shows a high-level view of an embodiment of a system and method,according to the present invention, for providing satellitecommunications.

FIG. 31 shows a view of intersatellite communication geometry.

FIG. 32 shows a high-level view of satellite interference from anon-compliant terminal antenna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description, including the figures, describes embodiments thatillustrate various aspects of the present invention. These embodimentsare not intended to, and do not, limit the scope of the invention toparticular details.

The various entities identified in the Figures and described herein mayeach utilize one or more computer processors, and the computerprocessors of each entity may be configured to communicate with thecomputer processors of one or more of the other entities in order tocarry out the methods of the present invention.

The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a system and methodfor creating a scalable satellite communications network installation toallow incremental and scalable buildup of capacity and to reduce riskand the reduce time for achieving a return on investment in the network.

In an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, communicationssatellites of reduced size and mass are provided. In particular, thesystems and methods according to the present invention permit thefabrication of communications satellites having launch mass of 800 kg orless. To reduce the size and weight of the satellite, in one embodiment,a new propulsion system for slow transit orbit may be utilized.

Small satellites according to the present invention in turn makepossible previously unrealizable and even unrecognized flexible servicesolutions for customers.

Moreover, satellites in this size range have a short design cycle andprovide a short commission-to-service time. Communications satelliteshaving these features provide, according to another aspect of thepresent invention, an improved ability to provide a satellitecommunication network that uses current rather than aged technology.More rapid access to the latest technology on-orbit also allowsoptimization of the satellite links to further drive ground systemefficiency up and therefore reduce system size and cost.

Small communications satellites according to the present inventionreduce the amount of investment needed to provide capacity on orbit ascompared to larger satellites. Therefore, this increases the modularityand flexibility of the system. The use of low-cost satellites with lessbandwidth on-board enables customized solutions for each satellitepayload concentrating on particular parts of a frequency use spectrumand thereby may avoid local interference issues. This may enable thesatellite communications operator to ensure that service does notinterfere with other users and thereby may avoid regulatory approvalsand coordination.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the satellite 200 is provided,according to an aspect of the present invention, with certain on-boardprocessing capabilities 202. In one embodiment, the satellite comprisesone software engine 204 to perform all on-board processing functions202. In another embodiment, the on-board processing functionality 202 isdivided among multiple software engines 400. Examples of the types ofsoftware engines include an authentication engine 402, a routing engine404, a network management engine 406, a command management engine 408,baseband processing modules 410, payload operations processes 412,network management processes 414 and spacecraft operations processes416. These software engines may employ one or a plurality of databases206. The satellite 200 is provided with hardware components 500,described in greater detail below, to communicate with earth segmentterrestrial terminals 208, 210, 212 as well as perform otherfunctionality, such as routing to other satellites in the network 100,300. An example of the types of hardware components include anantenna(s) 502, router(s) 302, 504, multiplexor(s) 304, 506,demodulator(s) 510, modulator(s) 512 and xDMA 508 (Division MultipleAccess in which ‘x’ can be “code”, “frequency”, “time” or anycombination thereof).

Referring to FIG. 1, satellite constellations according to the presentinvention can be both modular and flexible. In one embodiment of such aconstellation, multiple satellites 102, 104, 106, 108 are placed in asingle orbital slot and/or in separate orbital slots, and can beinserted into the slots of one or more at a time, with a capability toprovide communications services beginning with the first insertion. Thesatellites can be equipped to manage changes in capacity andinterferences through “in-box” communication and routing 110, i.e.communication and routing between satellites in the same orbital slot.FIG. 31 provides an illustration of the general size of the box 3100relative to other sample satellite orbit parameters. Furthermore,according to an aspect of the present invention, the satellites in thesame orbital position can increase the strength of the footprintcoverage over one area as user needs change over time. Using multiplesatellites covering different geographical regions/parts may enable asystem to switch coverage to a new satellite covering a different regionvia communication between the satellites when the terrestrial terminalmoves outside the first satellite coverage. Additionally, the satellitesmay be distributed over differing orbital slots to provide footprintcoverage over respective areas of the earth. Satellites in constellationthat can communicate between each other may be used, in one embodiment,as a mono pulse tracking system. In one embodiment, the satellites areplaced in geostationary orbit. In an alternate embodiment, thesatellites are placed in geosynchronous orbit. In still another, thesatellites are placed in Molniya orbits. In yet another alternateembodiment, the satellites are placed in low earth orbit or mid-earthorbit. Other orbital configurations of satellite architectures of thepresent invention are also possible.

An example of intersatellite communication geometry for satellites ingeostationary orbit is illustrated in FIG. 31. In this embodiment, theintersatellite distance between satellites 3102 is calculated for agiven angle of separation 3104 from the Earth center. Also, there willalways be a blocked region 3106 precluding intersatellite communicationthat can be calculated given a satellite's orbital distance above theequator 3108.

A communications satellite network architecture embodying an additionalaspect of the present invention provides systems and methods forintelligent routing capabilities for use in managing the inventivemodular and flexible approach to satellite communications. In oneembodiment, a system according to the present invention utilizes anetwork status channel to manage updates to the network. Networkmanagement functionality may be spread among all satellites in thenetwork. In this embodiment, it is possible to spread network managementfunctionality to terrestrial terminals as well. Specifically, eachsatellite in the system monitors network status information such asjamming, rain fades, the addition of extra satellites, ECM information,asset management, etc. In one embodiment of one aspect of the presentinvention, when a satellite receives network status information, theinformation is routed to all other satellites in the network. Thenetwork status information may be sent to all terrestrial terminalswithin the satellite's footprint coverage.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the information issent to the terrestrial terminals 112, 208, 210, 212, 306 via a downlinkbroadcast 114, 214. These network status updates provide parameters todynamically reconfigure the network to manage changing conditions andcoverage requirements. Furthermore, by maintaining a network statuschannel among all satellites in the network, the system is able tointelligently route communication signals and other signals. Stillfurther, as illustrated in FIG. 30B, the network status channel allowsthe system to adjust to failure of one satellite by dynamically routinga signal to an alternate satellite in the satellite network 3050. Inanother embodiment, the network status information is used to allowusers to manually specify a route for a signal.

An embodiment of a system and method according to the present inventioninvolves building a modular and flexible satellite communicationsnetwork.

In one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the satelliteoperator offers a set of parameters and values for the parameters thatconstitutes a design space for a customer to make a choice. In oneembodiment, the parameters are satellite size, lifetime and payload. Acustomer, subject to the constraints of the parameters offered by thesatellite operator, drives the development of a satellite system of thesatellite operator through its specifications. The customerspecifications, in one embodiment, comprise bandwidth, security, antennacontrol, satellite control and footprint specifications. Based on thesecustomer specifications, the satellite operator derives solutions forthe customer by building, expanding and enhancing a satellitecommunications system within the design space. These solutions may beeconomically driven, technologically driven, and/or performance drivensolutions.

As shown in FIG. 21, various aspects of the present invention can bebest understood in the context of satellite launch and placementdecision-making and implementation. A first step in the installation ofa satellite communications network is the launching of a satellite intoan orbital position 2100. After the first satellite, having certaincommunications capabilities is installed in the network, the supplier ofthe satellite communications service, employing a modular approachaccording to the present invention, can gauge the needs of the users2102 of the satellite communications network before expanding thenetwork. Based on user need, the supplier of the satellitecommunications service may decide to launch a second satellite into thenetwork 2104, 2106. At their juncture, the supplier has two options asto where the satellite is launched in the network: First, the satellitecan be launched into the same orbital slot as the first satellite 2104,whereby the satellites would interact through in-box communication 110;second, the satellite can be launched in a different orbital slot fromthe first satellite 2106, so that the satellites would interact throughinter-box communication 116.

As the needs of the users expand, the supplier is able to respond, asrapidly as demand requires through launching new and replacementsatellites into the network, in accordance with this aspect of thepresent invention. These satellites can be equipped with the latestchanges in technology. The supplier has the ability to place newsatellites into the network to provide a network topology that bestsuits the users' needs, rather than being tied to a large satellitesystem that is inflexible to change. As the network expands throughsubsequent launches of new and replacement satellites, there is no needfor a “double hop” in communication, i.e. the need to send signals fromtwo points on the Earth's surface that cannot be viewed by the samesatellite in GEO via an intermediate ground station. Also, the satellitecommunications network can rapidly respond to satellite failure in thenetwork due to the use of small satellites and the rapid commission toservice times.

In an embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, the systememploys a physical space segment architecture allowing reconfigurablecapacity. The system enables spatial redundancy in any orbital slot andincrementally increased capacity in any orbital slot through thecollocation of satellites in close proximity to one another. In yetanother embodiment, inter-satellite links and inter-orbit links increasenetwork physical layer routing and flexibility.

Referring to FIG. 22, an embodiment of another aspect of the presentinvention involves satellite launch and placement decision-making andimplementation. In this embodiment, various performance factors for thenetwork are first arrived at 2200. Without limitation, these performancefactors can include footprint coverage, satellite constellationtopology, bandwidth, capacity and number of users per satellite. Thesefactors are then evaluated by the system 2202. Software engine(s) 204,400 in the individual satellites may monitor and evaluate theseperformance factors 2202. These performance factors and theirevaluations 2202 are then used to develop and design a new satellite forthe network 2204. In one embodiment, these performance factors and theirevaluations 2202 are used to determine the optimal location of the newsatellite 2206. Next, the satellite is installed into the network 2208through a launch into a pre-assigned orbital position. Finally, thesatellites take into account the new satellite in the network throughnetwork status updates 2210.

In another of its aspects, the present invention provides for mobileterrestrial satellite communication having high bandwidth. The term“high bandwidth,” as used herein, refers, without limitation, tobandwidth that exceeds the bandwidth needed to transmit 500 kbps orgreater.

In an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, a satellitecommunications system includes three primary components. A firstcomponent of the system comprises an initiating terrestrial terminal118. As used herein, terrestrial refers to terminals that arenon-spaced-based. They may be on actual terra firma, but may also be insea- or air-borne platforms. In an alternate embodiment of this aspectof the present invention, the first component of the system comprises agroup of terrestrial terminals.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terrestrial terminals themselves, in anembodiment of an aspect of the present invention, in turn may compriseseveral main components. The terrestrial terminal may comprise anantenna 600, software 608 and hardware 606 to communicate with asatellite, including, but not limited to, a geostationary satellite, viaan uplink frequency 120, 216. In one embodiment of this aspect of thepresent invention, the terrestrial terminal antenna 600 can be small, inthe range of 75-2000 square centimeters in area. The antenna 600 may, inone embodiment, be a highly efficient parabolic reflector and/or aphased array design. The choice of antenna implementation may causedecreasing efficiency and therefore necessitate a corresponding increasein effective aperture area. This increase in effective aperture area isdetermined, at least in part, by the required linkbudget. The determinedlinkbudget is greatly improved, in an embodiment of one aspect of thepresent invention, by the use of regenerative payload and high powertransponders.

In another embodiment, the uplink frequency is transmitted in narrowbands. These narrow bands are between 200-250 MHz wide per satellite onthe Ku-band. To support communication with antennas of this size range,in another embodiment of the present invention, coordination withrespect to other spacecraft is undertaken with respect to, but notlimited to, orbital mechanics, coverage areas, frequency and timeconstraints. In this respect, the space-time dynamics of the spacecraftand communication parameters are coordinated in order to control theinterference below acceptable and recommended limits. In particular,this may be achieved by use of non-frequently used frequencies andorbital positions including, but not limited to, geosynchronous orbitsthat may vary with time.

To support mobile operation and other functions, the software 608running on a processor in the terrestrial terminal may have the abilityto monitor and store data from a geoposition sensor 612 (such as arereceived by sensors receiving data from the Global Positioning System(GPS), Glonass, Galileo or similar services), as well as storeinformation about the terrestrial terminal. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the internal processing software 608 of theterrestrial terminal determines, from among a plurality of satellites ina satellite network, a satellite with which to communicate that bestsatisfies a set of preselected constraints. The terrestrial terminalsoftware, according to an aspect of the present invention, performsautomatic line-up and acquisition of a satellite. Internal processingsoftware 608 in the terrestrial terminal, associated with other aspectsof the present invention, include intelligent dynamic network routingsoftware and access process. In the access process, the terminal isallowed, in one embodiment, to enter the satellite network on a dynamicnon-interference basis. In yet another aspect of the present invention,the software could contain, but is not limited to, terrestrial terminalidentification information, “make and model” information or capacityinformation. Furthermore, this information can be stored in a database610 or other data structure 610 accessible to the terrestrial terminal.

In an embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, theterrestrial terminal contains hardware suitable for communication with asatellite including, but not limited to, an RF converter 602, internetprotocol hardware 606 and xDMA 604.

Referring to FIG. 1, a second component of a system in accordance withthe present invention is the space segment. The space segment mayinclude one or a plurality of satellites 102, 104, 106, 108 arranged ina variety of constellations. Multiple satellites can be placed in thesame “orbital box” 122. The orbital box 122 refers to the resultingconstrained space created by a, most preferably geostationary, orbithaving inclination less than 0.05° however less than 0.1° may beconsidered geostationary (restriction in the north-south direction), inthe east-west direction the satellite is maintained within a bandcentered around an intermediate longitude with similar accuracy, herethe resulting constrained space is referred to as the “orbital box” 122and/or located in different orbital boxes 122. As shown in FIG. 5, eachsatellite may comprise several components, including but not limited toa router 504, a multiplexer 506, xDMA processing capability 508, ademodulator 510, a modulator 512, an error correction decoder 518, anerror correction encoder 520, a receiver 522, a transmitter, one or aplurality of uplink 524 and downlink antennas 526, an on-boardcontroller 528, software 514, firmware or hardware-implemented logic forrunning these various functions, and a database 516. This and othersuitable hardware and software work together according to variousaspects of the present invention, to enable the satellite, or aplurality of satellites, to act as a “hub” in space. In one embodimentof the present invention, each satellite may utilize an open on-boardarchitecture.

The on-board software and hardware, further described below, permits thesatellite to perform data handling functions, such as routing andtraffic management, without the need to communicate with a ground hublocated on Earth. This aspect of the present invention, along with thepresence of a regenerative payload, in turn, permit a variety ofcommunications benefits. These benefits include but are not limited to“symmetrical” links between two terrestrial terminals and a resultant aneed for only a single type of terrestrial terminal and antenna, and amore secure architecture, in which the hub is located over 22,000 milesfrom the earth and is therefore relatively invulnerable to attack orother compromise. The “hub” functionality of the space segment, in oneembodiment, may be contained in one satellite. In an alternateembodiment, the hub functionality is distributed among all of the spacesegment assets. Locating the hub in the space segment results in theneed for less bandwidth as well as time savings when transmittingcommunications and other signals.

FIG. 30A provides an example of an embodiment of the space segment.Multiple satellites 3000, 3002 in the space segment communicate viaintersatellite links 3004. On-board software and hardware 3006facilitates the data handling functions described above, and thesatellite can either transmit a signal to another satellite in the spacesegment 3008 or to a terrestrial terminal in the earth segment 3010.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another embodiment of an aspect of the presentinvention, multiple software “engines” 400 perform on-board datahandling functions. An authenticating engine 402 is responsible forauthenticating a signal sent from one or a plurality of terrestrialterminals. A routing engine 404 routes the authenticated signal. In oneaspect of present invention, the routing engine determines whether asignal is addressed to the actual satellite or comprises a relay signalthat is addressed to another satellite. Third, a network managementengine 406 manages the internal network of the satellite. Further, acommand management engine 408 processes payload command signals, whichmay be commands to alter the payload itself. Still further, one or morebaseband processing modules 410 perform processing on the signal.Finally, software running on the satellite comprises payload operationsprocesses 412, network management processes 414 and spacecraftoperations processes 416.

The software, in an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention,may be run on one or a plurality of processors. Further, in anotherembodiment, the satellite may utilize state-of-the-art programmableprocessors for digital signal processing allowing implementation ofreconfigurable on-board processing including changing of signalpackaging and alteration of channel parameters through filtersimplemented in software. Still further, in one embodiment, the satellitearchitecture is based on reconfigurable digital signal processorsallowing for expanded development opportunities in terms of configuringthe redundancy performance of the payload. This increases theflexibility in dealing with a loss of one or more digital signalprocessing units.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the software,which may include a database, can process and store relevant satelliteusage information, including billing information, and other informationthat can be monitored and stored. This information may include, but isnot limited to, detailed terrestrial terminal antenna performancecharacteristics—including, in one embodiment, measured radiationpatterns that may be general or specified individually—RF componentcharacteristics, other important parameters for link performancecalculation, up and downlink frequency, quality of service requirementsand prioritization class.

The satellites also comprise one or a plurality of antennas that can beused to communicate with other satellites as well as broadcast, bothuni-cast and multi-cast, signals to terrestrial terminals on Earth. Inanother embodiment, the satellite utilizes one or a plurality ofsteerable antennas. In yet another embodiment, the satellite utilizesone or a plurality of steerable spot beam antennas. The use of steerablebeams makes the satellite less prone to jamming, as jamming a movingbeam requires the jammer to be within the beam, which may mean thejammer will be detectable and also within a sphere of influence of amoving formation—depending on satellite footprint. Furthermore, the sizeof the satellites used is smaller than satellites that are typicallyused. In one aspect of the present invention, the satellites have alaunch mass of 800 kg or less.

A third component of the system is a second group of target terrestrialterminal(s) that may or may not include the initiating terrestrialterminal. In one embodiment, the target terrestrial terminals have thesame capabilities as the initiating terrestrial terminal describedabove. However, the individual target terrestrial terminals in the groupmay have different hardware and software components, particularlydifferent antenna sizes. In an embodiment of one aspect of theinvention, the target terrestrial terminals comprise at least oneantenna between about 75 and 2000 square centimeters in area. Also, someof the target terrestrial terminals may be stationary while others inthe group are mobile, or they may be all mobile, or all stationary.

Referring to FIGS. 7-20, An embodiment of a method according to thepresent invention involves initiating satellite communications service.The embodiment is described by way of an example involving earth segmentterrestrial terminals and a space segment satellite network. Satellitecommunication service begins, for example, by a user entering anauthorization code 700 into an initiating terrestrial terminal locatedin the earth segment of a satellite communications system. In oneembodiment, the authorization code is pre-assigned to the terrestrialterminal. In another embodiment, the authorization code is pre-assignedto a user of the system, allowing them to use any terrestrial terminal.In yet another embodiment, the authorization code is distributed to theuser with the terminal or with the service procurement. Theauthorization code may also be specific to a type of vehicle. In orderto initiate the service, the initiating terrestrial terminal may firstbe configured 702, for example by the internal software. The initiatingterrestrial terminal may require and unpack password or other securityinformation in order to activate the terminal.

The initiating terrestrial terminal searches for the nearest satellitein the network 704. In one embodiment, the internal processing softwareof the terminal analyzes the satellites potentially available forcommunication and determines the most appropriate satellite. Theauthorization is completed over the nearest available satellite in thenetwork 706. In another embodiment, the authorization is completed overthe most appropriate satellite for communication as identified by theinitiating terrestrial terminal 706. The satellite chosen may be ageostationary satellite, low earth orbit satellite, or mid-earth orbitsatellite.

An embodiment of a method according to the present invention involvesusing a satellite communications service to transmit a communicationbetween two terrestrial points. The embodiment is described by way of anexample involving an initiating earth segment terrestrial terminal, aspace segment satellite network and a target earth segment terrestrialterminal. The initiating terrestrial terminal sends a communication viaan uplink frequency to a satellite in a satellite communicationsnetwork. In one embodiment, the satellite is chosen according to theprocedures previously presented 800. In another embodiment, thesatellite is chosen manually by the operator of the initiatingterrestrial terminal 800. In yet another embodiment, a plurality ofpossible satellites is chosen by the operator of the initiatingterrestrial terminal 800. In this embodiment, the initiating terrestrialterminal software compares the chosen targets against a list of targetsreached from each box/satellite/beam 802. In this embodiment, the listis constantly updated via a network status updates channel. Theinitiating terrestrial terminal next assembles a signal that requestsservice from the space segment via the satellite 804. In one embodiment,this signal specifies a target terminal listed by box/satellite/beam,type of service and bandwidth required.

Once the terrestrial terminal assembles the request signal, theterrestrial terminal software engine analyzes the alternative routes toreach the target terminal 806. In one embodiment, the initiatingterrestrial terminal determines the best route in terms of latency,traffic, capacity limits and other information on the network statusupdates channel. In another embodiment, the routing analysis is stillperformed in the case of key users with a meta-status layer. Theinitiating terrestrial terminal software engine may create a routingaddress 808 and an authorization code 810 to append to the request forservice signal, thereby creating a request signal packet 812.

Next, the initiating terrestrial terminal software engine searches for814, acquires 816 and lines up 818 an antenna plus a set-up ofcommunication parameters on the chosen satellite. Further, in anotherembodiment, the initiating terrestrial terminal software engine searchesfor and acquires a download of option files from the satellite hub. Inone embodiment, this step is completed using the satellite's uniqueidentifier. The software engine packages the request signal 820 bysetting the correct terminal hardware parameters for interleaving,modulating and encoding the digital data signal packet into a microwavesignal with parameters appropriate for the target satellite requestchannel. The initiating terrestrial terminal sends the request signalpacket to the chosen satellite 822.

The chosen satellite in the space segment receives the request signalpacket 900. The satellite then starts a procedure to initiate aconnection between the initiating terrestrial terminal and the targetterrestrial terminal. In one embodiment, the receivers in the satellitepayload receive the request signal packet 900. The receivers may, in oneembodiment, unpack the request signal packet 902. In another embodimentthe receivers unpack the header that contains the routing address andauthentication code and also unpack the remaining portion or portions ofthe signal. The unpacked signal is sent to an on-board software enginefor processing 904.

Once received by the on-board software engine, the engine authenticatesthe authentication code using a security protocol 906. The authenticatedsignal is then, in one embodiment, passed to another on-board softwareengine to route the signal 908. An on-board software engine determineswhether the signal is addressed to the actual satellite or if it is asignal to be relayed. In one embodiment, in either case, the signal ispassed to another on-board software engine for processing 910. Theon-board software engine than appends the signal with the originalrouting address 912 and a new authentication code 914 and sends thesignal back to the satellite transmitter 916. The signal is thenrepackaged into a downlink signal 918.

In one embodiment, all request signals, network updates and othernetwork and command channel updates are addressed to the targetsatellite. In another embodiment, all signals addressed directly to asatellite can be authenticated for a second time by the on-boardsoftware engine via a second authentication code 920.

If the system, at any point, detects an unauthorized signal, theincident 1000 and origin 1002 of the signal may be logged and/or amessage is sent to a network 1004 and sub-network administrator 1006and/or an access denied message is sent back on the command channel ofthe accessing terminal 1008. In one embodiment, the incident and originare logged in a database on-board the satellite. The incident and originof the unauthorized signal may be tracked by triangulating theunauthorized signal by using information from more than one satellite inthe network. A successful or partly successful triangulation may then besent to a control center in an earth segment.

After the second authentication, a signal destined for the satellite ispassed to an on-board software engine 1100. The on-board software enginedetermines whether the signal is a service signal, command signal or anetwork signal 1102. A service signal, such as a request signal, isinterpreted by the on-board software engine which allocates channels tothe requested service and sends the appropriate information onwards. Acommand signal is sent to alter a network configuration. A networksignal updates on network status and the on-board software engineinterprets the signal to provide latest information for dynamic routingby the on-board software engine that handles routing. In one embodiment,the signals may be routed to different on-board software engines 1104.

In one embodiment, the service signal, of which one type is a requestsignal, is routed to an on-board software engine which interprets thesignal 1102. For a request signal, the on-board software engine decodesthe request signal list 1106 and compares it with the network statusinformation stored on-board 1108. In one embodiment, for every target,the on-board software engine determines if the target can be accesseddirectly from that satellite 1110. In another embodiment the on-boardsoftware engine determines via which beam, if any, the target can beaccessed directly 1110. In an alternate embodiment, the on-boardsoftware engine determines the proper satellite, in the satellitecommunications network, to receive the relay signal 1112 viainter-satellite links 1114.

The current satellite sends the downlink signal to the targetterrestrial terminal 1200. The on-board software engine checks thetarget terrestrial terminal for traffic 1202. If the target terrestrialterminal is available, the on-board software engine allocates thechannels 1208 and channel parameters 1210 for communication between theinitiating terrestrial terminal and the target terrestrial terminal. Inone embodiment, the on-board software engine uses an on-board softwareengine that performs routing to add the routing address back into theinitiating terrestrial terminal's control channel 1300.

In one embodiment, the on-board software engine uses an on-boardsoftware engine that performs authentication to generate an appropriateauthentication code 1302. The routing address and authentication codeare combined to make a confirmation of service signal packet. Theon-board software engine also forms a second confirmation of servicesignal packet for the target terrestrial terminal 1304. If the terminalis busy, the on-board software engine generates two denial of servicesignals stating that no connection is available 1204. The confirmationof service signal packet(s) 1304 or denial of service signal packet(s)1204 are sent to the transmitter 1306, 1206. In one embodiment, thetransmitter repackages the signal with the appropriate channelparameters into a downlink signal 1308 to the target terrestrial controlchannel 1310.

In an embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, thedownlink signal is sent from a satellite that is different from thecurrent satellite 1312, i.e. the current satellite routes the signal toa target satellite via in-box or inter-box communication. In thisembodiment, the on-board software engine, in the current satellite,generates a new request signal packet 1400 with a new routing address,authentication code and request signal content appropriate to the targetsatellite. The on-board software engine may utilize other on-boardsoftware engines that handle routing and authentication to generate thenew request signal packet. The on-board software engine sends the newrequest signal packet to the inter-satellite link 1402. In oneembodiment, the on-board software engine also generates a series ofconfirmation of service signal packets back to the initiatingterrestrial terminal with channel information for the relayed channels1404. In another embodiment, the on-board software engine updates thedynamic network information 1406 and passes the update on to allterminals it covers 1408 and to all other satellites in the spacesegment through a chain satellite-to-satellite via a network statusupdate broadcast 1410. Each satellite in the chain may be equipped withtwo inter-satellite links where a new satellite connects on one looseend of the chain while some links of the chain will connect within theorbital box and some will enable communication between orbital boxes.

Next, the initiating terrestrial terminal receives the confirmation ofservice or denial of service packets 1500. In one embodiment, theinitiating terrestrial terminal unpackages 1502, authenticates 1504 andinterprets 1506 these packets. The initiating terrestrial terminalconfigures a communication channel 1508 and sends a start ofcommunication service signal packet to the chosen satellite 1510. Thechosen satellite receives the start of communication service signalpacket 1600, authenticates it 1602 and routes it appropriately 1604, toother satellites 1608 and/or other target terrestrial terminals 1606. Inone embodiment, the service signal packet is received by an on-boardsoftware engine, while the routing and authentication steps areprocessed by on-board software engines that handle routing andauthentication respectively.

The target terrestrial terminals also receive the confirmation ofservice signals 1700 and configure communications channels. In oneembodiment, these target terrestrial terminals may then go intolistening mode 1706. In another embodiment, these target terrestrialterminals submit a return channel request signal 1708.

The target terrestrial terminal receives 1700, unpacks, authenticates1702 and interprets 1704 the start of communication signal and sends achannel open handshaking signal back to the initiating terrestrialterminal 1710.

The satellite receives 1800, authenticates 1802 and routes 1804 thechannel open handshaking signal to the initiating terrestrial terminal.In one embodiment, the channel open handshaking signal is received by anon-board software engine, while the routing and authentication steps arehandled by on-board software engines that process routing andauthentication respectively.

The initiating terrestrial terminal receives 1900, unpacks 1902,authenticates 1904 and interprets 1906 the channel open handshakingsignal and then begins transmission 1908.

To end transmission, the transmitting terrestrial terminal sends atermination signal 2000. The satellite receives the termination signal2002 and terminates the connection 2004. The satellite transmits thetermination signal to the target terrestrial terminal and the targetterrestrial terminal closes the configured channel 2006. The configuredchannel may be conserved under silent periods without termination andmay be set to “stand by” mode until the signal reappears, which mayoccur due to blockage and temporary link fades. However, this may beregarded as permanent if the silent period extends for a longer timeperiod than the time-out period which may be defined according to theexpected link characteristics and depending on transponder load.

The ability to operate from a single user channel to multiple target isalready built into the point to point communication described above. Inone embodiment, target terrestrial terminals might be spread out overseveral satellites, or beams. In each case, the on-board software engineis robust enough to split the request signal to create immediateconfirmation of service signals plus relay signal groups with virtualchannels. For target terminals not covered by the current satellite, theon-board software engine will create a single confirmation of servicepackage and send it to the appropriate other satellite(s) in thesatellite communications network. In one embodiment, the initiatingterrestrial terminal will only need to configure one uplink channel forthe broadcast. The initiating terrestrial terminal begins service assoon as it receives its first channel open handshaking signal i.e., itdoes not have to wait for a confirmation of service signal or a denialof service signal from each target terminal. In another embodiment, theinitiating terrestrial terminal does not need to wait for the firstchannel open handshaking signal to begin service.

A network embodying an aspect of the present invention accommodatesmultiple point-to-point communications, for example, such as might occurin a conference situation. In this case, the method of point to pointcommunication may be followed in both directions. An on-board softwareengine identifies a need for two-way communications and therefore aconfirmation of service signal directed at each target terrestrialterminal includes instructions to allocate both receive and transmitchannels. A terrestrial terminal may have to wait for a channel openhandshaking signal before starting its own broadcast. Alternatively, aterrestrial terminal need not wait for a channel open handshaking signalbefore starting its own broadcast.

As shown in FIG. 23, an embodiment of an aspect of the present inventionprovides for allowing user access to control of a satellite or specificcomponents of a satellite. A user requests direct control of one or aplurality of satellites and/or satellite component(s) 2300 by sending arequest signal from an initiating terrestrial terminal. This requestsignal is sent via an uplink frequency to a satellite. Upon receipt ofthe request signal 2302, the satellite unpacks the signal and routes therequest to an appropriate software engine. The software engine receivesthe identification of the user from the request and determines theprivilege level of the user 2304. In an alternate embodiment, thesoftware engine receives the identification of the initiatingterrestrial terminal from the request and determines the privilege levelof the terminal. In one embodiment, the privilege levels of eachapproved user and terrestrial terminal in the network reside in adatabase located in each satellite in the network. To determine theprivilege level of the user or terminal 2304, in this embodiment, theappropriate software engine maps the user identification, received inthe uplink request, to a privilege code stored in the database.

A plurality of privilege codes may apply to a corresponding plurality ofcustomer access levels. The software engine, in one embodiment of thisaspect of the present invention, determines whether the specific user orterminal requesting satellite control has the proper customer accesslevel to grant the request 2306. If the customer access level is notproper, the software engine sends a denial of service signal via adownlink frequency to the initiating terrestrial terminal 2310. If thecustomer access level is proper, the software engine sends aconfirmation of service signal to the user via a downlink frequency tothe initiating terrestrial terminal 2308. In another embodiment, thesoftware engine also sends a confirmation of service signal to otherterrestrial terminals within the network 2312.

As shown in FIG. 24, in one embodiment of the present invention, therequest signal specifies a request for manual control of one or aplurality of steerable antennas on the satellite. After the userreceives a confirmation of service signal, the user can control, fromthe initiating terrestrial terminal, one or a plurality of steerableantennas 2400. In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, theuser enters geoposition data corresponding to the desired area ofsatellite coverage into the initiating terrestrial terminal 2402, whichis packaged into a payload command signal 2404.

Once this type of specific terrestrial terminal is approved forcontrolling the steerable satellite antenna/beam the terrestrialterminal, in one embodiment, will automatically transmit position datato the satellite. When the terrestrial terminal moves, it will continueto automatically send geoposition data to the satellite. The geopositiondata may be sent even if the terrestrial terminal is not moving.

The satellite receives 2406 and unpacks 2408 the payload command signaland routes the signal to an appropriate software engine 2410. Thesoftware engine uses the geoposition data sent from the terrestrialterminal to change the antenna pointing direction 2412 towards aspecified location. The new geoposition pointing of the antenna is thensent to the initiating terrestrial terminal. In another embodiment, thenew geoposition pointing of the antenna is also sent to otherterrestrial terminals within the network. Further, in one embodiment ofthis aspect of the present invention, the user can terminate its manualcontrol over the antennas 2414 or input new geoposition data.

Referring to FIG. 25, in one embodiment of the present invention, therequest signal specifies a request for tracking a mobile terrestrialterminal by one of the steerable antennas on the satellite. After theuser receives a confirmation of service signal 2500, the user requeststracking by submitting target terminal identification data into theinitiating terrestrial terminal 2502. In an alternate embodiment of thisaspect of the present invention, the user also alternatively submitsgeoposition data of the target terminal into the initiating terrestrialterminal. The target terminal may be the initiating terminal or anotherterrestrial terminal.

In one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the targetterminal identification data is packed into an uplink signal 2504. In analternate embodiment of the present invention, the target terminalidentification data and target terminal geoposition data are packed intoan uplink signal 2504. Further, in one embodiment, the uplink signal issent to the satellite 2506 and the satellite receives 2508, unpackages2510 and routes 2512 the uplink signal to an appropriate softwareengine. Still further, as shown in FIG. 26 in one embodiment of oneaspect of the present invention, the software engine uses targetterminal identification data and determines the current geoposition ofthat target terminal 2600. In an alternate embodiment of this aspect ofthe present invention, the software engine determines the geopositiondata of the target terminal from the uplink signal 2600.

Still further, the software engine determines the current coverage areaof the antenna to be controlled 2602 and compares this area to thegeoposition data of the target terminal 2604. The satellite can comparethe geoposition information in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, thesatellite can compare the geoposition data corresponding to the centerof an antenna's footprint to the geoposition data sent by the user thatcorresponds to the current position of the target terrestrial terminal.This comparison may in general be subject to error 2606, which is thencorrected to ensure proper coverage by the antenna. The error iscorrected, in one aspect of the present invention, through steering theantenna 2514, 2608. This method of receiving geoposition data, creatingan error value and correcting the error value is processed automaticallyand in real time on-board the satellite 2610, as opposed to processingthrough a ground hub located in the earth segment. In an embodiment ofan aspect of the present invention, the system runs the methodcontinuously, while in an alternative embodiment of this aspect of thepresent invention the system runs the method at predetermined intervals.In one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, it is possibleto specify consecutive changes of the coverage area while conductingsignal level measurements to calculate the geoposition of ajammingsignal by triangulation. The jamming signal geoposition data may then berouted to the earth segment and specific user(s).

Finally, the method continues until an interrupt command 2612 isencountered 2516, 2614. This interrupt command 2612 can take many forms.In one embodiment, the user can request that the satellite controlfunctionality terminate. In another embodiment, the interrupt command2612 can result from the steering of the antenna outside a predeterminedarea. In this latter embodiment, the satellite control service caneither terminate or continue. If the service continues, the request isrouted to another satellite in the system and the closed loop mobileterminal tracking method is processed on-board the new satellite. In yetother embodiments of this aspect of the present invention, otherpredetermined triggers for interrupt commands 2612 can be programmedinto the satellite. These predetermined triggers can be tied to billing,geographical constraints, and interference or general system coverageconstraints.

Referring to FIG. 27, the request signal, in an aspect of the presentinvention, specifies a request for manual control of the orbitalposition of one or a plurality of satellites. After the user receives aconfirmation of service signal 2700, the user can control from theinitiating terrestrial terminal the orbital position of one or aplurality of satellites. In another embodiment, other terrestrialterminals within the network also receive a confirmation of servicesignal. In one embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, theuser inputs geoposition data corresponding to the desired satellitecoverage area into the initiating terrestrial terminal 2702, which ispackaged into a payload command signal 2704. The satellite receives 2706and unpacks 2708 the payload command signal and routes the signal to anappropriate software engine 2710. The software engine uses thegeoposition data sent from the terrestrial terminal to move thesatellite to the specified location 2712. The new geoposition of thesatellite is sent then to the initiating terrestrial terminal. Inanother embodiment, the new geoposition of the satellite is also sent toother terrestrial terminals within the network. Further, in oneembodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the user canterminate its manual control over the satellites 2714 or input newgeoposition data.

Referring to FIG. 28, in one embodiment of the present invention, therequest signal specifies a request for tracking a mobile terrestrialterminal by changing the orbital position of a satellite. After the userreceives a confirmation of service signal 2800, the user requeststracking by submitting target terminal identification data into theinitiating terrestrial terminal 2802. In an alternate embodiment of thisaspect of the present invention, the user also submits geoposition dataof the target terminal into the initiating terrestrial terminal. Thetarget terminal may be the initiating terminal or another terrestrialterminal.

In one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the targetterminal identification data is packed into an uplink signal 2804. In analternate embodiment of the present invention, the target terminalidentification data and target terminal geoposition data are packed intoan uplink signal 2804. Further, in one embodiment, the uplink signal issent to the satellite 2806 and the satellite receives 2808, unpackages2810 and routes 2812 the uplink signal to an appropriate softwareengine. Still further, as shown in FIG. 29 in one embodiment of oneaspect of the present invention, the software engine uses targetterminal identification data and determines the current geoposition ofthat target terminal 2900. In an alternate embodiment of this aspect ofthe present invention, the software engine determines the geopositiondata of the target terminal from the uplink signal 2900.

Still further, the software engine determines the current coverage areaof the satellite to be controlled 2902 and compares this area to thegeoposition data of the target terminal 2904. The satellite can comparethe geoposition information in a variety of ways. First, the satellitecan compare the geoposition data corresponding to the center of asatellite's footprint to the geoposition data sent by the usercorresponding to the current position of the target terrestrialterminal. This comparison may in general result in an error value 2906.This error value should then be corrected to ensure proper coverage bythe satellite. The error value is corrected, in one aspect of thepresent invention, through changing the orbital position of thesatellite 2814, 2908. This method of receiving geoposition data,creating an error value and correcting the error value is processedon-board the satellite 2910, as opposed to processing through a groundhub located in the earth segment. In one embodiment of one aspect of thepresent invention, the system runs the method continuously, while in analternative embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, thesystem runs the method at predetermined intervals.

Finally, the method continues until an interrupt command 2912 isencountered 2816, 2914. This interrupt command 2912 can take many forms.In one embodiment, the user can request termination of the satellitecontrol functionality. In another embodiment, the interrupt command 2912can result from movement of the satellite outside a predetermined area.In this embodiment, the satellite control service can either terminateor continue. If the service continues, the request is routed to anothersatellite in the system and the closed loop mobile terminal trackingmethod is carried out on-board the new satellite. In yet otherembodiments of this aspect of the present invention, other predeterminedtriggers for interrupt commands 2912 can be programmed into thesatellite. These predetermined triggers can be tied to billing,geographical constraints, interference or general system coverageconstraints.

If the user privilege level allows, an aspect of the invention allowsthe user to switch between control of the antennas of the satellite andthe orbital position of the satellite itself For example, in thisembodiment, the request signal can specify that the satellite antennastrack one or a plurality of mobile terrestrial terminals overpredetermined range of areas. When the satellite antennas point outsidethis predetermined area, a software engine switches the control fromadjusting the antennas to changing the orbital position of the satellitein order to track one or a plurality of mobile terrestrial terminals. Inan alternative embodiment, the user requests control over the orbitalposition of the satellite itself for a predetermined area. When thesatellite moves beyond this predetermined area, a software engineswitches the control from changing the orbital position of the satelliteto adjusting the antennas to track one or a plurality of mobileterrestrial terminals.

In an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the highestuser privilege level of the system may enable the user to be aware of ajammer on a particular beam, whether a particular beam coverage includesa potential hostile monitoring asset and other assets available on thebeam. Further, in this embodiment, the user may use this information foroptimizing route choice for a signal. This embodiment is described byway of an example in which a user intends to send secure orders over acommunications service via a satellite communications network to ahostile zone including hostile communications signals and intelligenceassets. In this example of one embodiment of the present invention, theuser may determine that there are three satellites collocated with threebeams overlapping a desired target. In this situation, the user is ableto determine that one of the beams is being actively jammed and anotherhas a higher power than the third and might include a hostile passiveinterception element. Since this information is communicated to theuser, the user, or on-board optimization software, can route the signalvia the third beam, which has least chance of being jammed orintercepted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the user is billedaccording to actual use of a satellite communications network. Asatellite, in the network, may start a billing log according to actualuse by referencing an internal clock to store a starting timecorresponding to the initiation of satellite communications. Thesatellite references this clock, in one embodiment, once a user isapproved for satellite access. Since approval may permit a variety ofuses of the satellites in the network, a satellite may store, inaddition to recording the starting time, the manner of use of thesatellite. For example, in one embodiment, the satellite receives arequest signal for direct control of a satellite antenna and records anindicator, in a billing log, corresponding to this manner of use.

Still further, a satellite may utilize its internal clock to store anamount of time a user utilizes a particular functionality. For example,in one embodiment, the user initially may request the satellitecommunications functionality but later may request the ability todirectly control a satellite antenna. In this embodiment, the satellitestores the starting and ending times of the period of communication aswell as the starting and ending times of direct satellite antennacontrol.

Still further, in another embodiment, the satellite can capture otherbilling-related information associated with service parameters such asbitrate throughput, roaming, satellite control, beam steering, securitylevels, priority class, size of the initiating terminal(s), size of thetarget terminals and other billing information.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the satellite monitorsthroughput rather than total time used. In this embodiment, the softwarein the satellite continuously monitors and stores the total amount ofdata transmitted for a specific session. The satellite stores the amountof data transmitted at the end of the session.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the satellite monitorsthe roaming time of the user during a session. When the sessionterminates, the total roaming time is stored in a record related to theuser in a database.

In another embodiment, the user is charged a generic registration andlicense fee for use of the system and then billed on the basis of actualtime used or amount of data transferred.

Billing information may be stored in a data structure, including adatabase or a call detail record identified to the account holder, theinitiating and terminating callers and/or other unique identifyinginformation, accessible by software engines. In one embodiment, billinginformation is automatically transferred with customer data, regardlessof origin, location, or type of communication device used, when a useraccesses within, to or from a satellite network.

In another embodiment, the billing system may include one or more levelsof premier service and billing. In this embodiment, billing informationincludes the varying degrees of customer control of the sub-network andpayload. Further, billing information may include varying levels ofsecurity and quality of service. Quality of service information mayinclude customer controlled steerable antennas and customer control ofthe movement of the actual satellite.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the softwareon-board the satellite generates billing statements sent electronicallyto the user(s) of the system. In one embodiment of one aspect of thepresent invention, a software engine in the satellite queries a databasecontaining billing information. The query, in one embodiment, retrievesthe billing information necessary to form a bill. The bill may becalculated in a variety of manners, in which the specific manner dependsupon the type of billing information used. For example, in oneembodiment, the satellite utilizes the actual amount of time a userutilized the satellite communications functionality of the network andapplies a flat rate to this actual use. Alternatively, the satellite mayutilize the manner of use billing information in order to apply adifferential rate to account for the various methods of using thenetwork, i.e. applying different rates for satellite antenna control asopposed to basic point-to-point communication over the network.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the bill is a line-itemdescription of usage and charges for those uses. Further, the softwareengine, in one embodiment, formats the billing information into anorganized form and packages the formatted information into a downlinksignal. Still further, the satellite transmits the downlink signalcomprising the formatted information to a specific terrestrial terminalor group of terrestrial terminals. The downlink signal may be encryptedto protect the secrecy of the information.

The method of generating billing statements, in one embodiment, isperformed on-board one satellite. Alternatively, multiple satellites maybe used to generate a billing statement. Still further, the billingstatement may be generated at the terrestrial terminal level.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or a plurality of satellitesstart a billing log when a channel open handshake signal is receivedfrom a target terrestrial terminal. In one embodiment of one aspect ofthe present invention, the log may reside on one satellite or it may bespread amongst multiple satellites in the network. The log may bestarted in a variety of ways. In an embodiment featuring point tomulti-point service, a satellite starts a log as soon as thebroadcasting terminal receives its first channel open handshakingsignal. Alternatively, with point to multi-point service, a satellitestarts a log as soon as the broadcasting terminal sends a start of callservice signal packet uplink to a satellite.

Also, the log may be closed in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, thelog ends when the original uplink sends a termination of call signal.Alternatively, the log may end when a predetermined condition isencountered, an example of which is antenna movement outside a specificgeographic area. At this point, the satellite stores the on-board timeand data transfer in a data structure which may include a database. Inan alternate embodiment, logging the above information can beimplemented in the terrestrial terminals instead of, or in addition to,on-board the satellite(s).

In an alternate embodiment of an aspect of the present invention,information concerning satellite communications network use may bestored in a data structure that may include a database. Further, thesystem may monitor and store efficiency statistics concerning thenetwork. In another embodiment of the present invention, the systemmonitors and stores information concerning the number of users of thenetwork, the amount of bandwidths, bandwidths used over time, type ofservices requested, routing statistics and peaks over time. In analternate embodiment, the system monitors and stores informationconcerning all activities necessary in order to most efficientlyoptimize the network. Satellite communications network use informationmay be encrypted for security reasons.

In an embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, the systemtransmits on-board billing and network use information via a downlinksignal to a system administrator. The transmission may be done on amonthly or other periodic basis. The system may transmit the informationupon a request from a system administrator.

Referring to FIG. 32, an embodiment of systems and methods according toanother aspect the present invention involves communicating withsatellites via non-compliant antennas 3200. The embodiment is describedby way of an example involving terrestrial terminals 3202, one or aplurality of satellites 3204, 3206, a coordination database, aninterference calculation and antenna electromagnetic radiation patterns,illustrated by main 3208 and side 3210 lobes, that are determined eitherby measurements or calculations using an antenna simulation device. Theantenna simulation device, in one embodiment, performs calculations ofthe antenna radiation performance pattern.

An embodiment of one aspect of the present invention involves a deviceintegrated into terrestrial terminals 3202, particularly mobileterrestrial terminals. The device performs interference calculations todetermine whether a terrestrial terminal antenna 3200 can connect to asatellite system 3204. The device may receive information concerninggeographic coordinates of the terrestrial terminal 3202 to becoordinated as well as relevant transmission parameters, orbitalpositions of satellites 3206 in the non-compliance regions of theantenna radiation zones 3210, the corresponding satellite coverage 3212,frequency and time planning. The device, in one embodiment, uses thisinformation to perform an up-to-date and realistic interferencecalculation for the mobile terrestrial terminal 3202 in the currentenvironment. In one embodiment of the present invention, the devicedetermines whether the mobile terrestrial terminal 3202 can safelyoperate and the extent of operation available in the currentenvironment. The device, in another embodiment, may determine possibleslots for non-compliance operations.

Another aspect of the present invention provides for a coordinationdatabase. The coordination database, in one embodiment, is locatedon-board one or a plurality of satellites in a satellite communicationsnetwork. In an alternate embodiment, the database may be locatedanywhere in an earth segment. In yet another alternate embodiment, thecoordination database is located in a terrestrial terminal. Thecoordination database, in one embodiment of the present invention, keepstrack of geographic coordinates of satellite coverage 3218, orbitalpositions of satellites in the satellite communications fleet,frequency, and time planning in real time.

One embodiment of one aspect of the present invention is a method toprovide users the ability to communicate with satellites using normallynon-compliant systems. In one embodiment of the invention, the usersupplies an operator data concerning the non-compliant system. The dataconcerning the non-compliant system, in one aspect of this invention,comprises antenna geometry, antenna design, measured radiation patterns,radio frequency (“RF”) equipment information, frequency, power levels,bandwidth and waveforms. Further, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the system scans for satellite capacity where regions thatwill be affected by the non-compliance of the antenna do not have anysatellites operating in the same frequency band. In an alternateembodiment of the present invention, the system scans for satellitecapacity where the satellites that will be affected by thenon-compliance of the antenna do not have the same coverage area 3212,3220. Alternatively, the system may scan where the satellites that willbe affected by the non-compliance of the antenna do not have the samefrequency plan in the frequency band affected by the non-compliancetransmission. The device scans for available capacity, in oneembodiment, on a link budget 3214 and non-interference basis. In thisembodiment, a proper link budget 3214 is established for the terminal3202 and the satellite to communicate with 3204, resulting in a powerdensity propagation towards neighbouring satellites 3206. Further, inthis embodiment, a non-interference basis then means that it should bepossible to prove that the potential harmful radiation from the sourcewill not cause any interference on the neighbouring service satellites3216. By way of example, in this embodiment, if the neighbouringsatellite 3206 does not have the same coverage area 3212 as where theinterfering terminal 3202 is transmitting 3210 it will not be a problem.By way of another example, in this embodiment, if the neighbouringsatellite 3206 does not use the same frequency as the interferingterminal 3202 it will not be a problem. The system, in an alternateembodiment, may use RF transmission parameters orthogonal to theproposed transmission or partly orthogonal—orthogonal to the amountneeded in order to become compliant with respect to the transmittedpower densities to allow transmission. Still further, a device isintegrated into the terrestrial terminal 3202 attempting to utilize thesatellite communications network.

In an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, when theterrestrial terminal 3202 attempts to connect to the satellitecommunications network, the terrestrial terminal's antenna 3200 pointstowards a target satellite 3204. Before the satellite connection isinitiated, the terrestrial terminal 3202 transmits geoposition data to asoftware engine or the device. The terrestrial terminal 3202 transmitsnecessary equipment configurations to a software engine or the device,and the received satellite signal to a software engine or the device.The device conducts an up-to-date interference calculation, according toan aspect of the present invention, for the terrestrial terminal 3202and the device determines whether the terrestrial terminal 3202 canoperate in the current environment and the extent to which theterrestrial terminal 3202 can operate. The device transmits aconfirmation/denial signal to the terrestrial terminal 3202 indicatingwhether the terrestrial terminal 3202 can connect safely to thesatellite communications network. If the device transmits a confirmationsignal, the terrestrial terminal 3202 connects to the satellitecommunications network via a satellite 3204. The device continuouslymonitors the interference environment. In this embodiment, if the devicedetermines that the interference environment has deteriorated, thedevice can send a shut down command to the terrestrial terminal 3202.Upon receiving a shut down command, the transmission ceases.

Other objects, advantages and embodiments of the various aspects of thepresent invention will be apparent to those who are skilled in the fieldof the invention and are within the scope of the description and theaccompanying figures. For example, but without limitation, structural orfunctional elements might be rearranged, or method steps reordered,consistent with the present invention. Similarly, processors ordatabases may comprise a single instance or a plurality of devicescoupled by network, databus or other information path. Similarly,principles according to the present invention, and systems and methodsthat embody them, could be applied to other examples, which, even if notspecifically described here in detail, would nevertheless be within thescope of the present invention.

1. A method for billing according to actual use of a satellitecommunications network, comprising the steps of: initiating a billinglog according to at least one of the group consisting of (i) a durationof the actual use, and (ii) an amount of data throughput transmittedduring the actual use; storing billing information from the billing login a data structure on-board at least one satellite in the network;applying a rate of billing to the billing information; formulating astatement; and transmitting the statement from the at least onesatellite to at least one terrestrial terminal in communication with thesatellite communications network via a downlink signal.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1 further comprising the step of storing the mannerof use of the satellite.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein theactual use comprises a plurality of different functionalities.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3 wherein the billing log comprises a recordof duration of use of the satellite communications network, mappedaccording to the different functionalities.
 5. The method according toclaim 1 further comprising the step of storing information associatedwith one or more parameters from the group consisting of (i) bitratethroughput, (ii) roaming duration of an initiating terrestrial terminal,(iii) satellite control, (iv) beam steering, (v) security level, (vi)priority class, (vii) size of an initiating terrestrial terminal, (viii)size of a target terrestrial terminal, (ix) other billing information,(x) a number of users of the satellite communications network, (xi)bandwidths, (xii) services, and (xiii) routing.
 6. The method accordingto claim 1 further comprising the step of storing roaming time.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the billing information is stored ina plurality of satellites;
 8. The method according to claim 1 whereinthe billing information is stored in a terrestrial terminal.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the statement is formulated on-boardat least one of the satellites in the satellite communications network.10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the statement is formulatedon at least one of the terrestrial terminals.
 11. The method accordingto claim 1 wherein the billing information is mapped to at least oneuser of the satellite communications network.
 12. The method accordingto claim 11 wherein the statement is automatically transmitted withaccount information of the at least one user.
 13. The method accordingto claim 1 wherein the statement is formatted by an on-board softwareengine.
 14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the downlink signalis encrypted.
 15. The method according to claim 1 further comprising thestep of terminating the billing log after receiving a termination ofcall signal.
 16. The method according to claim 1 further comprising thestep of terminating the billing log after a predetermined conditionoccurs.
 17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the predeterminedcondition comprises antenna movement outside a predetermined geographicarea.
 18. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step oftransmitting the statement to a system administrator.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18 wherein the statement is transmitted to the systemadministrator periodically.
 20. The method according to claim 18 whereinthe system administrator requests the statement before the statement istransmitted.